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'The adventures of Europa League' : Analyzing the pros and cons that await the two Manchester clubs
Goal.com's Debjit Lahiri analyses the possible effects of the Europa League on the two Manchester sides, as the quest for the domestic title further intensifies..
13-Feb-2012 4:08:00 AM
ANALYSIS
By Debjit Lahiri
It was not something that you would have ideally put your money on at the start of the season. The Champions League, barring the last few seasons, had seen a fair amount of dominance from the Premier League clubs post-2003 and thus when Manchester United and
Manchester City, arguably the two strongest English representatives this year, were knocked out of competition as early as in the group stages, it certainly came as a huge shock for not only the fans of the respective clubs but also the neutrals.
United, for all their late heroics in the past, were never quite expected to succumb to the pressure from the high-flying minnows where as their noisy neighbours, despite not having any sort of history in the competition, had finally emerged out of the shadows of the more illustrious Red Devils and it looked just a matter of time before they would too announce their arrival at the big stage, especially more after their magnificent start to the domestic campaign.
Nevertheless, things weren't meant to be such, as both the Manchester clubs bowed out of the Champions League, finishing third in their respective groups. The result? A berth in the poor man's 'European quest'- The Europa League.
A competition regarded as insignificant by most premier clubs, the Europa League, was certainly not a kind of consolation that the two clubs would have been looking for. On the contrary, the participation in a low profile tournament was looked down upon as a 'distraction' to their individual domestic aspirations.
Interestingly, at the time of the duo's elimination from the Champions League, Manchester City led United by 5 points in the Premier League. More than the 5 points, it was the sheer dominance exhibited by City which portrayed them as an 'out and out' favourites to win the title. However, over the past few months, the lead has been cut down to 2 but more importantly the momentum has vastly changed.
While Manchester United have pocketed some massively important results against Chelsea and Liverpool, there are apparent signs of choking in the City camp, with a defeat against Everton and a scrappy 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
So, with the duo set to play their first match in the competition this week, this intense domestic scenario makes their Europa League campaign even more significant than it was initially thought to be.
There is no doubt that the Premier League is now not a forgone conclusion, and the title race would in all probability go right down to the wire. With a 'hectic' burden of the Europa League on their shoulders, this is exactly where the tenacity of the two clubs will be tested. It is now mostly down to the 'nerves', as some would like to put it.
Anyway, there are more than a couple of ways to look at this situation. Manchester United, as we all know, are more than capable of going all the way in Europe and at the same time challenge for the Premier League. Although, this time it is the Europa League where they are competing, the experience will be no different.
On the other hand, Manchester City are a club who are not quite used to the same; challenging for the top honours at both fronts, and it would certainly be a different proposition for Roberto Mancini's men. In fact, qualification in the knock-out stages of the Champions League would have also offered a similar situation, but then atleast they would have had an added motivation to win what is perhaps the most prestigious club honour.
However, on second thoughts, if ever the millions spent by Sheikh Mansour would come into play, this is definitely the time! The squad depth in the City ranks is quite evident, compared to Manchester United, which means they would have the freedom to adapt a rotation policy, and thus keep the squad fresh as the title race intensifies at the fag end of the season.
Quality All Round | City's Squad Depth Will Help Them Tackle This Situation
The Red Devils are themselves marred with injuries and the last thing they need is further fatigue creeping into the team following their participation in the Europa League.
It is quite difficult to ascertain the mental approach of the two sides in run up to the tournament, but going by the different quotes in the media one can only draw a vague speculation. On the wake of their elimination from the Champions League, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded the Europa League as a 'punishment' for their failure to progress further.
While the comment was completely uncalled for and ethically incorrect, by calling the participation in the tournament as a 'punishment' you already label it as an 'inferior' competition and take it for granted. So if by any chance, United are faced with an upset at the hands of Ajax or for that matter an elimination in the rounds to follow, the defeat in the so-called 'inferior' tournament would come as a massive embarrassment for the club.
A set-back that could even have an adverse effect on their league form; and hamper the progress for their 'more desired' silverware.
Ferguson did, however, later state that his sole aim is to win the competition, the response seemed more or less a damage limitation act following Michel Platini's critical take on Ferguson's initial comments.
Europa League A Punishment? | Will SAF's Comments Come Back To Haunt United?
Roberto Mancini had resorted to a comparatively reserved approach, following the exit from Champions League and in that respect his club would not be under the unnecessary pressure.
But having said that, there is no doubt that even an elimination for them would also mean a huge disappointment for the club.
It certainly does present us with a very tricky scenario. It's like you desperately want to get rid of it but if you do so (via getting knocked out by an opponent), it is an even bigger set-back.
On the brighter side however, given only one team will win the Premier League, a Europa League trophy for the other would certainly be a better collection to their cabinet than nothing at all! An unusual but exactly the sort of motivation needed for the two teams.
Follow Debjit Lahiri on
How Do You Think Will The Europa League Affect The Two Teams? Give in Your Views...
By Debjit Lahiri
It was not something that you would have ideally put your money on at the start of the season. The Champions League, barring the last few seasons, had seen a fair amount of dominance from the Premier League clubs post-2003 and thus when Manchester United and
Manchester City, arguably the two strongest English representatives this year, were knocked out of competition as early as in the group stages, it certainly came as a huge shock for not only the fans of the respective clubs but also the neutrals.
United, for all their late heroics in the past, were never quite expected to succumb to the pressure from the high-flying minnows where as their noisy neighbours, despite not having any sort of history in the competition, had finally emerged out of the shadows of the more illustrious Red Devils and it looked just a matter of time before they would too announce their arrival at the big stage, especially more after their magnificent start to the domestic campaign.
Nevertheless, things weren't meant to be such, as both the Manchester clubs bowed out of the Champions League, finishing third in their respective groups. The result? A berth in the poor man's 'European quest'- The Europa League.
A competition regarded as insignificant by most premier clubs, the Europa League, was certainly not a kind of consolation that the two clubs would have been looking for. On the contrary, the participation in a low profile tournament was looked down upon as a 'distraction' to their individual domestic aspirations.
Bowing Out Of The Elite League | Europa League Entry Following Champions League Debacle Will Not Help The Manchester Sides.
Interestingly, at the time of the duo's elimination from the Champions League, Manchester City led United by 5 points in the Premier League. More than the 5 points, it was the sheer dominance exhibited by City which portrayed them as an 'out and out' favourites to win the title. However, over the past few months, the lead has been cut down to 2 but more importantly the momentum has vastly changed.
While Manchester United have pocketed some massively important results against Chelsea and Liverpool, there are apparent signs of choking in the City camp, with a defeat against Everton and a scrappy 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Signs Of Choking? | City's Recent Lack Of Form Has Thrown Open The Title Race; Further Adding To The Significance Of The Europa League 'Distraction'
So, with the duo set to play their first match in the competition this week, this intense domestic scenario makes their Europa League campaign even more significant than it was initially thought to be.
There is no doubt that the Premier League is now not a forgone conclusion, and the title race would in all probability go right down to the wire. With a 'hectic' burden of the Europa League on their shoulders, this is exactly where the tenacity of the two clubs will be tested. It is now mostly down to the 'nerves', as some would like to put it.
Anyway, there are more than a couple of ways to look at this situation. Manchester United, as we all know, are more than capable of going all the way in Europe and at the same time challenge for the Premier League. Although, this time it is the Europa League where they are competing, the experience will be no different.
On the other hand, Manchester City are a club who are not quite used to the same; challenging for the top honours at both fronts, and it would certainly be a different proposition for Roberto Mancini's men. In fact, qualification in the knock-out stages of the Champions League would have also offered a similar situation, but then atleast they would have had an added motivation to win what is perhaps the most prestigious club honour.
However, on second thoughts, if ever the millions spent by Sheikh Mansour would come into play, this is definitely the time! The squad depth in the City ranks is quite evident, compared to Manchester United, which means they would have the freedom to adapt a rotation policy, and thus keep the squad fresh as the title race intensifies at the fag end of the season.
The Red Devils are themselves marred with injuries and the last thing they need is further fatigue creeping into the team following their participation in the Europa League.
It is quite difficult to ascertain the mental approach of the two sides in run up to the tournament, but going by the different quotes in the media one can only draw a vague speculation. On the wake of their elimination from the Champions League, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded the Europa League as a 'punishment' for their failure to progress further.
 |
"A place in the Europa League is a punishment for us."
- Alex Ferguson
|
While the comment was completely uncalled for and ethically incorrect, by calling the participation in the tournament as a 'punishment' you already label it as an 'inferior' competition and take it for granted. So if by any chance, United are faced with an upset at the hands of Ajax or for that matter an elimination in the rounds to follow, the defeat in the so-called 'inferior' tournament would come as a massive embarrassment for the club.
A set-back that could even have an adverse effect on their league form; and hamper the progress for their 'more desired' silverware.
Ferguson did, however, later state that his sole aim is to win the competition, the response seemed more or less a damage limitation act following Michel Platini's critical take on Ferguson's initial comments.
Roberto Mancini had resorted to a comparatively reserved approach, following the exit from Champions League and in that respect his club would not be under the unnecessary pressure.
But having said that, there is no doubt that even an elimination for them would also mean a huge disappointment for the club.
| “It is important to finish well this year. When I say that, I mean to win two trophies.” - Roberto Mancini |
 |
It certainly does present us with a very tricky scenario. It's like you desperately want to get rid of it but if you do so (via getting knocked out by an opponent), it is an even bigger set-back.
On the brighter side however, given only one team will win the Premier League, a Europa League trophy for the other would certainly be a better collection to their cabinet than nothing at all! An unusual but exactly the sort of motivation needed for the two teams.
Follow Debjit Lahiri on
How Do You Think Will The Europa League Affect The Two Teams? Give in Your Views...
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